Drunk Driving Accidents
Millions of people globally suffer injuries and losses from drunk driving accidents. If you’re a person with a traumatic experience with driving under the influence of alcohol, then the right option is to learn more about hiring a drunk driving accident lawyer. In most cases, individuals participating in these accidents suffer from psychological traumas and seek the best solution to protect their civil rights and satisfy justice.
To make the right decision and take the proper steps after drunk driving accidents, you should know how the entire process works in Washington DC. Stay on this track and learn more essential details about your rights and the best way to get yourself through this traumatic period in your life. Moreover, people who are not witnesses of these accidents must always be cautious and informed about further complications and future situations of this kind.
Things to Consider About Drunk Driving Accident
Driving under the influence of alcohol is not wise, and every person should know their limits and the safety of other people in the traffic. In Washington DC, the number of accidents related to driving under the influence is enormous, according to many researchers. For example, in 2018, the number of DUI accidents increased by 0.56%. This year, the number of drunk driving accidents in DC involves 36% of all car crash accidents in this country.
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in Washington DC
Car crash accidents can happen to everyone, so you always have to be prepared for upcoming events and know the best option for you. In this case, if you’re not familiar with blood alcohol concentration but are a Washington DC citizen, stay focused and see why this information is always essential when discussing drunk driving accidents.
The blood alcohol concentration or BAC shows the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream. It is the primary metric for determining whether a person is drunk to drive. Once the police stop a person, they have the legal right to conduct tests and see whether an individual is in a safe state for driving or not. The blood alcohol concentration through breath or blood is considered the most accurate indicator of the presence of this substance in a person’s blood.
It is also good to know that many police agencies use Breathalyzer tests for testing the alcohol concentration in the body, and they always have the legal right to provide a DUI penalty to drunk drivers.
How can a person determine BAC?
As a citizen of Washington DC who wants to be well-informed and prepared to prevent further issues with drunk driving accidents, it is good to know that you can never determine BAC on your own.
It is worth knowing that various factors affect blood alcohol concentration, which can vary daily, depending on emotional and physical conditions. Six essential factors vary BAC, such as your gender, body weight, amount of alcohol consumed, food, and medication and medical conditions.
Driving under the influence (DUI)
As a citizen of Washington DC, you should always know what driving under the influence means and what the penalties are. A particular driver with a BAC of 0.5% or lower can be considered a DUI driver. According to the Washington DC law regulations, a police officer can charge you with an offense if they observe signs of impairment from observing the driver’s behavior, tests, or BAC reading.
Driving while intoxicated (DWI)
Drunk driving accidents are also a common consequence of driving while intoxicated (DWI). A driver with a BAC result of .08 or higher can be convicted as a DWI driver, considering blood, breath, and urine test results.
Operating while impaired (OWI)
Millions of people across the United States, especially in Washington DC, suffer from the consequences of OWI drivers. An OWI is a short name for operating while impaired, meaning that a driver that belongs to this category is the one whose driving ability to operate a particular vehicle is affected in any possible way by alcohol and drugs. In these situations, officers can charge drivers with OWI. It is also good to mention that the required proof of impairment is lower with OWI than with DUI.
DWI and DUI penalties
Past experiences of drunk drivers in DC show that Washington DC has zero tolerance for this category of people, and penalties are widespread in every angle in the country. As a driver in this US country, you should always be aware of the penalties you might have if you consume alcohol and afterward enter your vehicle. Penalties include the following sanctions:
- First offenses – $1000 and 180 days in jail
- Second offenses – from $2.500 to $5.000 and a maximum period in jail of up to one year
OWI penalties
- It is good to remember that first convictions are charged with a $500 fine and a maximum jail sentence of ninety days
- Second convictions within fifteen years are charged from $1.000 to $2.500 and up to a one-year jail sentence
- Second convictions usually carry a mandatory jail sentence of five days
- Third convictions within fifteen years are charged from $1000 to $5000 fine and a one-year maximum jail sentence
Underage drinking and driving
No person in the United States is allowed to consume alcohol under the age of 21. It is essential to understand that if a person is drunk and operates a vehicle under the age of 21 can also receive a penalty in Washington DC, as their laws and regulations have zero tolerance for drunk drivers.
Young people under 21 in this country can receive a suspension of driving privileges from 90 to 180 days, depending on the nature of the violation. These adolescents might also be charged a financial penalty ranging from $300 to $600.
Types of Drunk Drivers
Three types of drunk drivers are responsible for a large percentage of drunk driving accidents across Washington DC. These individuals are usually responsible for the attempt of people to find the best drunk driving accident lawyer and protect their rights.
- Individuals who first drink alcohol in their homes and afterward leave the house and go on a ride
- People who prefer to drink in bars and restaurants and then drive home
- Individuals who drink alcohol at social parties and events and then enter their vehicles
Common Injuries From Drunk Driving Accidents
The most significant reason people strive to find the most professional drunk driving accident lawyer is due to the many injuries resulting from these drunk driving wrecks. As a driver and a person who has been or might be a victim of drunk driving accidents, you should be aware of the common injuries from accidents in Washington DC:
Traumatic brain injury
Traumatic brain injuries are the most common injuries that victims suffer all over the world. This personal injury case can cause severe problems in a person’s mind, resulting and affecting memory, emotions, reasoning, hearing, vision, etc. Victims of these devastating injuries can have life-costing consequences and worsen their entire well-being and everyday functioning.
Spinal injuries
Car crash accidents can often result in spine injuries, while a person with this can become paralyzed for a lifetime. Spinal injuries are some of the most devastating issues resulting from drunk driving accidents, while a person can gain chronic pain and nerve damage.
Organ damage
Millions of people from drunk driving accidents can also gain organ damage and internal injury that might be life-threatening for every victim. The kidneys, spleen, and lungs are the most common injuries resulting from organ damage in car wrecks.
Burns
If a crash is serious enough, the vehicles involved may explode. In those cases, victims may gain burns, and in many cases, they can often lose their lives. Moreover, if victims survive these crashes, they can have long-lasting psychological traumas.
Liable Parties in Drunk Driving Accidents
The primary reason people hire drunk driving accident lawyers is that all victims in a car or other vehicle crashes have the legal right to protect their welfare and seek justice. We are all pretty aware that victims in drunk driving accidents have to point their interest on the drunk driver, but you must also know that other parties also have a responsibility in these crashes:
Drunk driver
If a driver has a higher number of .08 according to their BAC, these people will be charged with DWI. In situations where the driver is entirely responsible for the crashes and accidents, you have the legal right to pursue justice and compensation for your losses and injuries.
Negligent entrustment
As a victim of a drunk driving accident, when the vehicle owner has given that vehicle to another intoxicated person, you have the absolute right to file a claim for the owner. At the same time, if you choose a good drunk driving accident lawyer, you will receive your compensation.
Employer
If you have been a victim of a car crash where the drunk driver is employed and has driven within their work frame, you have an absolute right to file a claim against that person’s employer. All victims in these cases have the right to know that they can file a claim under the legal theory of respondent superior.
Public establishment
The best feature Washington DC has is that this US country has no mercy for drunk drivers and aims to protect only the potential victims by offering excellent law regulations for all citizens. For example, if you’re a drunk driving accident victim, you have the absolute right to file a claim against a bar and restaurant where a person was served alcohol.
Statute of Limitations on Drunk Driving Accidents
Drunk driving accidents can cost a life, and we’re sure millions of people globally have gone through that traumatic period in their lives due to drunk drivers who operate vehicles. It is good to know that according to the statute of limitations under the Code of the District of Columbia 12-301, you have three years to file a claim against the person responsible for your psychological or physical injuries due to car crashes.
In these traumatic situations, people with the same interests and necessities as you also want to hire a drunk driving accident lawyer to negotiate with the law to compensate for your loss and satisfy justice. If you strive to find the best attorneys related to these accidents, millions of people in Washington highly recommend the reliable and popular Ben Crump, a trial attorney for trial cases.
Consider Ben Crump as a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Let’s say you’re a person that suffers from losses and injuries due to a drunk driving accident. In that case, you should definitely find the best attorney for fighting for your human rights during these traumatic periods. Thousands of satisfied US citizens from the reliable Ben Crump attorney can’t be wrong, so feel free to contact this professional lawyer with tremendous experience in law trials.
Because life can always bring unexpected and shocking events, this professional attorney provides expert services to all people in need. When the unpredictable happens, Ben Crump can be your best-skilled attorney. Available in various countries, such as Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Tallahassee, and Washington-this reputable law company and attorney deserves your entire time and trust. The results and benefits of choosing this law company are guaranteed!